Electric switch



-CL 29, 1929. W, LINDSAY 1,733,230

ELECTRIC SWITCH Original Filed Jan. 23, 1924 @f da@ JW @mg Patented Oct. 2.9, 1929- UNITED STATES WILLIAM LINDSAY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ECONOMY FUSE AND MANUFACTURING TION OF NEW YORK ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO CO., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORA- ELECTRIC SWITCH Application lcd January 23, 1924, Serial No. 688,014. Renewed February 25, 1929.

This invention relates to that class of electric switches having a movable contact member or electrically conductive switch member on or adapted to be actuated by a spring or resilient element and provided with means for setting the resilient element at a tension and adapted to release the spring, to cause the movable contact member to open and close the circuit with a quick or snap action.

The principal object of t-heinvention is to provide a simple, economical and efficient electric switch. y

A further object of the invention is to provide an electric switch having a movable contact member, and provided with a spring or resilient actuating element adapted to oscillate, turn or reciprocate upon an aXis disposed at an angle to the path of movement of the movable contact member, and means for operating or reciprocating the spring to set it at a tension and release it in such a manner as to enable the movable contact member to be moved to circuit-making and circuit-breaking position with a quick. movement or snap action.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear' from the following description and claims, and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings which are made a part hereof.

The invention consists in the features, combinations, details of construction and arrangements ot parts herein described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a view of an electric switch constructed in accordance with my invention, showing the same in central longitudinal sec- -tion mounted in an ordinary incandescentv lamp socket, the shell or outer casing of the switch and lamp socket being shown in side elevation.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of my improved electric switch, showing the same mounted on a base formed of insulating material such as hard rubber, liber or a composition adapted to form a suitable insulation member of a lamp socket, `attachment plug or switch, or similar device, with the upper cap and insulation shown in Fig. l omitted.

Fig. 3 is a similar enlarged View in central vertical or longitudinal section, taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, and showing the movable contact member slidab'ly mountedon its guide and in circuit-closing position in engagement with the stationary contacts, with the segmental gear mechanism and rock shaft or oscillating spring-supporting and actuating means in a corresponding position, in full lines, said spring-actuating oscillating means being shown in broken lines in said figure as they would appear when the switch is in clrcuit-breaking position;

Fig. 4, is a similar enlarged detail View in central section, taken on line 1 -l1 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, and showing the actuating spring and its supporting rock shaft and segmental gears or spring-actuating means in the position which they would occupy when the movable contact member actuated by the spring is in lowered position-for example, in circuit-closing position as shown in full lines in Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 is a similar enlarged view in central vertical or longitudinal section of an electric switch constructed in accordance with my invention, showing the spring-actuating or setting and releasing means comprising an oscillatingl spring-supporting member or rock shaft with its integral spring-engaging arm' or crank and segmental gear, and the spring-actuated movable contact member in circuit-closing position, or with the movable contact in closed or lowered position, and showing', a modied form of segmental gear or thumb-wheel and stop, for actuating or setting and releasing the contact-actuating spring and its oscillating support or rock shaft and gear, the latter being constructed as shown in Figs. l, 2, 3, 4, and. 6; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail View in perspective showing a movable contact or switch member slidably mounted upon a guide which is provided'with an elongated slot or shouldered spring-engaging stop and releasing means with the engaged actuating spring in lowered or circuit-closing position and in op erative engagement with the reciprocatory contact member and the guide' and stop for stoppin g and releasing the spring and springactuated contact.

In constructing an improved electric switch in accordance with my invention, I provide a base or support 1 which is adapted to form a suitable support for the movable and stationary contacts and other movable parts of my improved switch. The base is, by preference, formed of suitable insulating material, for example, hard rubber, commercial fiber, or other suitable insulating composition or material.

A metallic support or frame2 is provided, which is by preference formed of sheet metal stamped or cut and bent to form a flat metallic base-plate having integral standards 4 and 5 projecting from opposite side margins of the base-plate in parallel relations to eachl other and perpendicular to the face of the base-plate 3 and insulating support 1. The frame 2, which thus comprises the integral base 3 and standards 4 and 5, is secured upon and in fixed relation to the insulating base 1 by securing screws G, or other suitable securing means of any desired or well known form. And a standard 7 is also mounted upon or attached to the metallic frame 2 or insulatinig member 1. In the form of the device shown in the drawings the standard 7 is formed in one integral piece with a base 8 which is secured in position by means of a securing screw 9, or other suitable securing means. I prefer to mount the baseplate 8 upon and in slidable or adjustable relation to the base-plate 3, and between guiding flanges 10 which are integral with the frame 2 and base-plate 3 and parallel to each other and adapted to admit and securely hold the base-plate 8 in exactly the desired position between the flanges 10 which engage the opposite side margins of the base-plate 8. The standards 4, 5, and 7 are thus secured in correct operative position with respect to each other and with respect to the base 1 and the other parts of the device.

Contacts 11 and 12,-both of which are, by preference, fixed to or supported upon the insulating base 1 or other suitable support, formed of insulating material, by securing screws 13, or other ordinary and well known or desired securing means,-are provided, and each connected with and in electrically conductive relation to a corresponding binding post or other electric connection or conductor.

In the device shown in the accompanying drawings binding posts 14 and 15 are provided and mounted on the insulation or base 1. The binding post 15 is connected'with a feed wire or electric conductor 17 leading to a dynamo or source of electric supplynot shown-and with the stationary contact or terminal 12. The other binding post 14 is connected with a feed wire 16 which is connected with the dynamo or source of elecmeaeso tric supply. The last-mentioned binding post 14 is electrically connected by means of any suitable conductor or metallic connection, with the screw shell 19 of the socket 20, said shell or contact 19 being adapted to engage or to be electrically connected with a terminal or contact member of a lamp or other electrical device, such, for example, as the screw shell or neck of an ordinary incandescent lamp having a central terminal adapted to engage the central contact 18 when the lamp is screwed into the screw shell 19 of the socket 20. And the contact 18 is electrically connected with the stationary contact member or terminal 11 already described.

The socket 20 may be of any ordinary or desired form, and is provided with suitable insulation 21 which may consist of an upper or inner lining member 22 secured to the insulation base 1 by means of one or more screws or bolts 23 or other suitable securing means, and inclosed within the casing, shell or cap 24 of the switch, socket, plug, or other form of electric device or switch connection, as the case may be. And the inner contact or terminal 18 and outer terminal 19 may be of any ordinary and well known or suitable form. And said terminals, as well as the switch as a whole, may be on or form a part of either an electric socket, an attachment plug, or other electric device or connection.

A movable switch member or bridging contact member 25, hereinafter more particularly described, is movable into and out of position to form an electrical connection between the stationary contacts or terminals 11 and 12, to open and close an electric circuit.

The movable contact or bridging switch member 25, which is, by preference, in the form of a metallic plate or strip of sheet metal cut and bent or stamped to form integral contact arms or flanges 26, 26, and integral bosses or guiding lugs 27, 27, slidably mounted upon a combined guidingmember and stop 28 having its base secured in fixed relation to the insulating base or support 1 already described, is supported in position to be moved into and out of contact with or into and out of position' to form a bridge or electrical connection between the contacts 11 and 12. In the device shown in the drawings the movable contact member 25 is slidably mountn ed upon the guide 28 which is mounted on the base 1 and adjacent to and approximately between the contacts 11 and 12, with the lugs 27 of the movable contact member 25 overlapping and in sliding engagement with its opposite side margins and in position to admit `the guide 28 between said lugs and the central body portion of the movable contact member 25. The guide 28 is provided with an elongated slot or opening 29 having a relatively large upper opening or slot portion 30 which forms detent shoulders 31, of which there may be either one or more at the intersection between the upper slot portion or opening 30 and the opening or elongated slot 29. And a similar enlarged end slot or bottom 0 ening 32 having one or more detent shoultifers 33 on one or both sides of the intersection between the opening 32 and elongated opening or slot 29 is provided at the opposite extremity of the openin` 29 and opens toward and communicates Wit the said opening 30 and connecting slot or opening 29. The movable Contact member 25 has an opening 34 which is in alinement with or in position to register With the slots or communicating openings 29, 30 and 32 in the guide 28.

A resilient actuating member or spring 35, which is by preference in the form of a helical compression spring having a reciprocating arm 36 which is adapted to extend into or through the openings 29, 30, 32 and 34 and between the detent shoulders 31, 32 at the' opposite extremities of the slot or opening 29, is mounted upon a suitable support which is, by preference, in the form of a rock shaft or oscillating spring supporting and actuating member 37 Which is rockingly mounted in suitable bearings or openings in the standards 4 and 5. The rock shaft 37 has a transverse spring-engaging and supporting portion which may be in the form of a transverse arm or crank 38 bent back upon itself and forming a transverse arm portion 39 which is transverse to the axis of the shaft and extends through the helical windings of the actuating spring 35. The arms 38, 39 shown in the drawings are formed in one integral piece with the shaft 37, and are formed by bending the shaft the axis of which is atright angles to the arms 38, 39 and axial center of the helical portion of the spring which is transverse to the axis of the shaft. And the spring-actuated arm 36 which in this instance is a relatively straight projecting arm portion of the actuating spring 35, is so disposed that the base of the arm 36 or its intersection with the helical portion of the spring is at or near the axial center of the rock shaft or oscillatory spring setting and releasing shaft or member 37, and adapted to permit the extended spring arm, an-d particularly the oscillating or transversely movable projecting spring arm portion 36 to move transversely across or from side to side of the axis of the shaft 37 which is rocked or turned upon its axis to set and release the spring.

The axis of the shaft 37 is thus perpendicular to the path of movement of the movable contact member or bridge piece 25 which is thus caused to move across the end of the shaft and at right angles to the axis of the latter by the action of the actuating spring 35. The enlarged end opening 30 at one extremity of theV path of movement of the spring arm 36, stops and limits the movement of the sprin and Contact member 25 in one direction; an the opposite end opening 32 stops and limits setting of the spring at a tension, and act tov release the spring when it is turned or rocked or set in releasing position with respect to such detent 31. The detent shoulder or shoulders 33 at or near the opposite extremity of the path of movement of the spring or arm 36 a. act in a similar manner to releasably hold the spring at a tension and to release and permit the quick snap movement of the spring in an opposite direction. The rocking of the rock shaft 37 upon its axis thus serves to set the spring at a tension at or near one extremity of its path of-movement where it is releasably held and released by a corresponding detent shoulder 31; and the next rocking or turning movement or partial rotation ofthe rock shaft and spring Will set the spring at a tension while in engagement With the movable contact 25, and the corresponding detent shoulder 32 Will releasably hold and release the spring and permit it to move with a quick snappy action to the opposite extremity of its path of movement.

.The movable Contact 25 is thus actuated and caused to move with a quick snap action into and out' of circuit closing position and into and out of circuit-breaking position alternately as desired, the actuating spring being set at a tension while the movable contact is in circuit-breaking position by the rocking or turning of the rock shaft and spring which upon being released actuates the movable contact causing it to move With a quick action to circuit-closing position, and vice versa.

The spring-supporting and actuating rock shaft 37 is provided with suitable means for operating it to set the spring at a tension and to cause thelspring and movable contact member to be released While the movable contact member is in position at the opposite extremities of its path of movement respectively.

In the form of the device shown in the drawings, the shaft 37 is -provided with a toothed gear 40 fixed thereto, said gear being, by preference, in the form of a segmental gear having spur gear teeth 41. A primary actuating member 42, which is by preference 1n the form of a toothed segmental gear or thumb- Wheel having spur gear teeth 46 in toothed engagement with the teeth 41 of the gear 40, is mounted upon a suitable support, such for example, as the standard 7, Which is provided with a stub shaft 43 or other suitable supporting means adapted to support the wheel 42,111 operative position and in engagement with the gear 40.

The primary actuating member or thumb Wheel 42 is provided with suitable means for enabling it to be conveniently operated by means of the thumb or hand of the operator, such for example, as a boss or button 44 as shown 1n Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. And suitable means for stopping the shaft 37 in position to permit the releasing of the spring 35 in the proper position to actuate the movable contact member 25 into and out of circuit closing position and into and out of circuit breaking position respectively, is provided. In the form of the device shown in Figs. l, 2, 3, 4,

and 6, a stop 44 is provided which is on a suitable support, such for example as the standard 5 and in position to engage gear 40 and transverse arm 38 fixed to the shaft 37, so as to limit the oscillating or rocking movements of the shaft at the opposite extremities of its movement upon its axis, for example, in the position shown in full lines in Figs 3, and in the position shown in broken lines in said figure, respectively.

In the form of the device shown in Fig. 5 a primary actuating member is provlded 1n the form of thumb wheel 45 which is a segmental spur gear wheel having gear teeth 46 which are in toothed engagement with the gear teeth 41 of the gear 40. And this thumb wheel 45 is provided with a segmental slot 47 which is adapted to admit and engage a stationary stop 48 on the standard 49 which corresponds with the standard 7 shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. And the wheel 45 has a knurled peripheral surface portion 50 of suitable form to enable the wheel to be conveniently operated, or rocked upon its axis by the thumb or finger of the operator.

The circuit, when closed, is as follows: From the dynamo or source of electric supply through wire 17, binding post 15, stationary contact or terminal 12, bridging piece or movable switch member 25, stationary contact 11, central contact 18, lamp or plug and terminals not shown to be interposed between or connected with terminals 18 and 19, through said terminal 19, binding post 14, and insulated Wire 16 to the dynamo or source of electric supply, or vice versa.

I claim:

1. In an electric switch, the combination of a contact terminal, a movable contact member adapted to be connected with an electric circuit, a guide for said movablecontact member, a shaft journaled in suitable bearings and having its axis disposed at an angle with respect to the path of movement of said movable Contact member, an actuating spring on and movable with said shaft, and adapted to eiigage and move said movable contact member transversely across the axis of said spring, means adapted toengage and release said spring, to restrain and permit the movement of the spring and movable contact member into and out of circuit-closing and circuit breaking positions respectively, a toothed gear on said shaft, and a shaft-actuating member in operativ-ej engagement with said toothed gear on said shaft, for operating said sha-ft.

2. In an electric switch, the combination of a contact terminal, a movable'contact member adapted to be connected with an electric circuit with which said first-mentioned contact terminal is to be connected, a guide for said movable contact member, a shaft journaled in suitable bearings and having its axis in perpendicular relation to the path of movement of said movable Contact member, an actuating spring on and movable with said shaft and adapted to engage and move said movable contact memberl transversely With respect to the axis of said spring and shaft, means adapted to engage and release said spring, to restrain and permit the movement of the spring and movable contact member into and out of circuit-closing and circuitbreaking positions respectively, a toothed gear on said shaft, and a toothed shaft-actuating member in toothed engagement with said gear.

3. ln an electric switch, the combination of a contact terminal, a movable contact member adapted to be connected with an electric circuit with which said first-mentioned contact terminal is connected, a stationary guide for said movable contact member, a shaft journaled in suitable bearings and having its axis in perpendicular relation to the path of movement of said movable contact member, an actuating spring on and movable with said shaft and adapted to engage and move said movable Contact member transversely with respect to the axis of said spring and its supporting shaft, means on said stationary guide for releasably holding said spring at a tension, a toothed gear on said shaft, and a toothed gear mounted on a suitable support and in toothed engagement with the gear on said shaft, for operating the shaft.

4. In an electric switch, the combination of a contact terminal, a movable` contact member normally insulated from said Contact terminal and adapted to be connected with an electric circuit, a rock-shaft having its axis at an angle to the path of movement of said movable contact member, an actuating spring on said rock-shaft and having a projecting resilient arm'in engagement with and adapted to move said movable Contact member transversely with respect to the axis of said spring and rock shaft into and out of contact with said firstmentioned contact terminal, sto ping means adapted' to limit the movement o said shaft and spring upon their axes, a toothed gear upon said rock-shaft, a toothed actuating member mounted on a suitable support and in toothed engagement with the gear on said shaft, and means adapted to engage and release said spring to restrain and permit the movement; of the spring and contact member into and out of circuit-closing and circuit-breaking positions, respectively.

5. In an electric switch, the combination of a Contact terminal, a movable contact member adapted to be connected with an electric circuit and normally insulated from said iirstmentioned Contact terminal, a rock-shaft having its axis in perpendicular relation to the path of movement of the movable contact member, an actuating spring on said rock-shaft and having a projecting arm in engagement With and adapted to move said movable Contact member transversely with respect to the axis of the rock-shaft and spring, stopping;r means adapted to limit the movement of said rock shaft upon its axis. a segmental toothed gear on said rock shaft, a toothed actuating member mounted on a suitable support and in toothed engagement with said segmental gear on said rock-shaft, and guiding means provided with an opening having detents adapted to engage and release said spring to restrain and permit the movement ofthe spring and movable'contact member into and out of circuit-closing and circuit-breaking positions, respectively.

Signed at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois this 7th day of January,

WILLIAM LINDSAY. 

